Visa's

Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. It is best to consult with the high commission of the country being travelled to in the country being travelled from as requirements vary and change constantly. Botswana Safaris will not be held responsible for any incomplete or incorrect information regarding the visa process gathered by the traveller.

Kalahari Ride Green Season 5 Nights

The following itinerary is an outline of the activities offered during your stay at Camp Kalahari. The order in which the activities are experienced may vary depending on weather and/or other factors. Please note that guests with an early morning departure will not be able to do the final morning’s activity.

David Foot Safaris has teamed up with Uncharted Africa co., to create a fantastic five- night horse-riding safari, combining three nights at Camp Kalahari with two nights fly camping out on the Makgadikgadi Saltpans.

Now you can explore this wild, unspoilt area in the same way many of the earliest explorers, hunters and missionaries did – on horseback!

There are two five night set departure dates every month for a maximum of 8 participants. Three nights are spent at the camp and two nights in a fly camp. The itinerary varies between the wet and the dry season. As well as the set departures other dates are available on request for group reserva- tions.

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DAY 1: &Camp Kalahari

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On arrival by air or road, you will be greeted by your host and Guide David Foot and settled into Camp Kalahari, nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park, Botswana.

A thatched central library, living and dining area featuring an eclectic mix of original African furniture and textiles paired with traditional campaign style pieces and colonial antiques provide the perfect area in which to relax and enjoy the serenity of this enchanting area.

Cool off in the swimming pool or enjoy a siesta in the thatched pavilion!

This traditional bush camp has ten spacious Meru tents, comprising six twin tents, three double tents and one family unit which has two adjacent tents, accommodating two guests in each with an inter-leading bathroom.

All guest tents have en-suite covered bathrooms, hot and cold running water and flush loos along with four poster beds, crunchy cotton sheets, rich textiles, Moroccan kilims and hot water bottles in winter.

Head off after tea in the beautiful afternoon light, for an introductory ride – primarily to match horse and rider but also your first opportunity to experience the beauty of this magical area.

Return to the camp for sundowners followed by dinner and to kraal the horses close by, before the lions of the Kalahari commence their nightly prowling.

DAY 2: &Horse Riding & Game Drive

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Up with the dawn, a light breakfast is followed by a long morning ride through the “land of a thousand islands”.

Stranded on the ancient lakebed, these sand dunes covered in palm trees are one of the most beautiful and fascinating areas of the Botswana wilderness.

At the height of the migration season, the islands and adjoining grasslands are awash with zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and ostrich – and of course the attendant predators!

The white encrusted pans between the islands provides excellent going for the horses, but if there has been a lot of rain then many of these areas will be full of water attracting several species of migratory water birds.

Return to the camp for lunch and rest through the heat of the day in the welcome shade of the camel thorn trees or cool off in the camp swimming pool.

After tea, head off by vehicle to see some unique desert species such as springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and the elusive brown hyaena; these consummate desert specialists survive in arid areas where both food and water are scarce.

The brown hyaena is a timid nocturnal, solitary forager, rarely seen by humans, but in spite of this are very social animals, living in clans of up to 10-12 hyaenas.

Enjoy a night game drive back to camp, and with the aid of a spot light, look for nocturnal desert inhabitants such as aardvark, bat eared foxes, aardwolves, porcupine, honey badgers and perhaps even a black maned Kalahari Lion.

Arrive at Camp Kalahari in time for dinner.

DAY 3: &Xau Xai

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Today is a long ride eastwards to Xau Xai Fly Camp, so an early start is imperative. Be sure to pack a few essentials for the next two days of adventure.

The journey takes us away from the edge of the Pans and through the mopane and acacia woodlands interspersed with short grasslands allowing for lovely long, relaxed canters.

Whilst the area is rich in birds of prey, bustards, korhaans and numerous other unusual dry woodland bird species; there is also a chance that we will sight kudu and the odd elephant bull.

By lunchtime we reach the famous Green’s Baobab proudly positioned alongside the well-travelled Missionary Road, traversed by David Livingstone on his journeys northwards.

The magnificent trunk of this ancient tree is scarred with the initials of early travellers dating back some 150 years thus providing a living testimony to the rich history of this area.

Break for lunch at the adjacent Gutsa Pan under a stand of palm trees where we may find Stone Age artefacts and the hunting blinds used over millennium by the Bushmen.

Siesta through the midday heat and after tea, continue the journey on to Xau Xai Fly Camp.

Camp will be made up of comfortable dome tents, a central mess tent, loos and bucket showers. Enjoy a long cool drink as you watch the sunset followed by dinner out under the magnificent Kalahari sky.

DAY 4: & Meerkats & Walking Safari

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Wake up to a steaming hot cup of coffee and a light breakfast, before heading off on your horses in search of some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats.

With our horses tethered we will proceed on foot in to the midst of the group. Due to an ongoing habituation programme by Uncharted Africa Safari co. it’s possible for us to get up close and personal with these captivating creatures. Remember, they are not tame – just used to our non-threatening presence.

On chilly mornings, you might well find a meerkat snuggling up to you for warmth. Or, in the absence of a termite mound or tree, using your head as a sentry lookout post…

By spending quality time with these incredibly social, superbly adapted animals, you will be able to see how they interact with each other and their environment. You also get the chance to see the desert through the eyes of a meerkat – which, despite the fact that it’s only a foot off the ground, is a pretty spectacular vantage point, and definitely one of the most special and memorable game experiences you will encounter in Botswana.

As the day warms up, leave the meerkats to continue foraging.

Mount up and follow the well-worn trails that lead to the resident herds of zebra and large congregations of ostriches attracted to the area by permanent freshwater in hidden waterholes.

Return to Xau Xai for lunch, a refreshing shower and a siesta in the shade of the mess tent.

In the late afternoon take a walk to a nearby permanent waterhole to look for many of the Kalahari’s special bird species and, as the sun sets, watch the hundreds of sand grouse fly in for a drink.

Return to camp for another beautiful evening under a Kalahari sky with a delicious dinner around the campfire.

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GROUP SIZE

The group size is limited to eight participants on the Kalahari Ride but special requests for larger private groups will be considered. A minimum of two participants is required to guarantee the Kalahari Ride will run.

RATES

The rates are in US$ and are fully inclusive on the Kalahari Ride except for items of a personal nature and local gratuities. A single supplement must be paid if a participant is unwilling to share accommodation. Rates on the Thamalakane Ride exclude drinks and laundry.

FLIGHT RATES

Flight rates include all internal charters starting from Maun on the first day of the safari and ending up back at Maun on the last day of the safari.

LUGGAGE

Luggage for local flights is limited to 20kg per person in soft bags including hand luggage, riding kit and camera equipment. This is strictly enforced by all charter companies for safety reasons.

ADDITIONAL DATES

Additional dates are available for special group bookings on the Kalahari Ride but a minimum of four participants is required.

RESERVATION AND CANCELLATION POLICY

A provisional reservation will be held for 14 days after which a deposit of 20% is required to hold the reservation.